Furnace Fuel Options: 4 Things You Need to Know

When it comes to heating your Philadelphia area home, you have a number of fuel options at your fingertips. Learn about the pros and cons of the four standard furnace fuel types, and determine which may work best for your home.

Electricity

Known for being long-lasting home heating systems, electric furnaces tend to be cheaper up front but can be a bit more expensive in the long run. Though the units themselves don’t tend to be too expensive, they take additional time to heat up and cycle. This extra electricity usage, combined with higher energy costs, can add up over time and lead to greater energy consumption and higher utility bills.

Natural Gas

Natural gas furnaces might cost a little more up front, but they typically cost less to operate throughout the winter months. Many options also boast impressively high efficiency, which means lower monthly costs. The Infinity 98 gas furnace, for example, has up to 98.5 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), the optimal ratio of heating output to energy input.

Propane

One of the most efficient fuel types on the market, propane can heat your home effectively and inexpensively. As with other types of heating systems, propane furnaces work best when they’re sized properly for your home. A unit that’s too small will constantly struggle to keep up with your home’s heating needs, while a unit that’s too large might cycle too often. A propane unit that’s sized properly can be a smart choice for your home, as long as you have a propane hookup.

Oil

Though you won’t find oil furnaces everywhere, they are relatively common throughout the Philadelphia area and the Northeast U.S. Most oil furnaces are affordably priced, which makes them a smart buy for many homeowners. Efficient units like the Performance 80 oil furnace have 86.6 percent AFUE, which helps keep energy usage low even during the coldest winters.

Choosing a new furnace isn’t always an easy decision. Contact our heating specialists at Custom Aire for professional help with finding the right furnace for your home: (215) 638-1800.